---
title: "Level 5 finish (skim coat) | Drywall Glossary"
url: https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/level-5-finish.html
language: en
author: James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat
updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Level 5 finish (skim coat)

**Under GA-214, a Level 5 finish is everything in Level 4 plus a thin skim coat of mud, or a material made for that purpose, over the entire surface, to even out texture and suction before paint.**

## Why it matters on a drywall job

- A skim coat covers the whole wall, not just the joints, so labor and material are usually much higher than Level 4.
- If Level 5 is requested after you bid Level 4, it's usually a change order.

## Related guides and tools

- [Drywall finish levels guide](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/drywall-finish-levels.html)
- [Change order template and log](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/change-order-template.html)
- [All glossary terms](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/)

---

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_¿Prefiere español? [Acabado Nivel 5 (capa de alisado)](https://tapeandfloat.com/es/glosario/acabado-nivel-5.html)._